Published: Thursday, November 13, 1997 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 13, 1997 at 12:00 a.m.

The father of two teen-agers killed in a car crash two weeks ago near Blacksburg said Wednesday he forgives the young man charged in his sons' deaths.

Leonard Young said he believes his sons would want him to show forgiveness toward his nephew 19-year-old Vincent Capers. Capers, of 136 Moda Road, Blacksburg, was charged Monday with two counts of felony DUI in the deaths of Julius Young, 15, and his brother, 19-year-old Lennie Young. Young, 51, spoke Monday in support of Capers at the young man's bond hearing. "I could hear my sons' voices telling me to do it," Young said. "I told the judge Vincent was my boys' cousin and best friend. There is nothing that can be done to bring my sons back." Capers was released on two personal recognizance bonds of $25,000 each. Vincent Capers said Wednesday evening Julius and Lennie's deaths are the last thing he thinks about when he goes to sleep and the first thing on his mind when he wakes up. "I feel guilty," Capers said. "It was my fault. If I had it to do over, I would not have driven the car." Capers, who suffered a broken shoulder in the accident, said he thanks God for the stand Leonard Young has taken on his behalf. "He is a good person," Capers said softly. "I respect him." Capers' blood alcohol level at the time of the accident was .10, according to investigators. Under state law, a blood-alcohol content of .10 percent or greater is considered evidence that a person driving a motor vehicle was under the influence of alcohol. Capers said he hopes he will not be sent to prison on the charges. "I keep on praying it won't go that far," Capers said. "If it comes to that, it will be God's will, and there is nothing I can do to change it." Capers was driving a 1992 Acura Nov. 1 with his cousins in the car. He slammed into a pickup truck waiting at a stop sign at the intersection of Young's Grove Road and Highway 18. Julius died at the scene of the accident, and Lennie died about an hour later at Upstate Carolinas Medical Center in Gaffney. "I know he (Capers) is suffering," Young said. "He has to live with this the rest of his life. With two felony charges, he'll probably have trouble getting a good job. I don't know what kind of punishment he deserves. That's up to the judge." Capers court date has been set for Jan. 5. Young said he did not learn until the day following the accident that Capers would be charged with the deaths of his sons. "I didn't like it when I heard it," Young said. "I was upset about it at the time." Young said his daughter, Valerie Young of Los Angeles, and some other members of the family don't feel the way he does about forgiving Capers. The Youngs and Capers live in the Youngs Grove Community of Cherokee County. Most members of the rural community are related. The Rev. Larry Brooks has been the pastor of Youngs Grove Baptist Church for 14 years. The church is the place of worship for most of the community's residents. Brooks baptized both Vincent and Julius. "I was there when Lennie drew his last breath," Brooks said. "I've known all these boys since they were little children." Brooks said he believes the community of Youngs Grove will survive, even through its residents are suffering grief for all three of the young men. "God's love will bring us closer together," Brooks said. "We hold no malice. He (Capers) needs healing too. It is time for us to listen to God and use the words, 'I forgive.' " Young said he has not decided whether he will attend the court session for Capers in January. "If he wants me to, I will," Young said. "I'm grieving, but I have forgiveness, too. If I handled it any other way, it could cause trouble in the family. The accident was not intentional. I believe I'm doing the right thing." Staff Writer Julie Woodcock contributed to this report.

<p> The father of two teen-agers killed in a car crash two weeks ago near Blacksburg said Wednesday he forgives the young man charged in his sons' deaths.</p><p>Leonard Young said he believes his sons would want him to show forgiveness toward his nephew 19-year-old Vincent Capers. Capers, of 136 Moda Road, Blacksburg, was charged Monday with two counts of felony DUI in the deaths of Julius Young, 15, and his brother, 19-year-old Lennie Young. Young, 51, spoke Monday in support of Capers at the young man's bond hearing. "I could hear my sons' voices telling me to do it," Young said. "I told the judge Vincent was my boys' cousin and best friend. There is nothing that can be done to bring my sons back." Capers was released on two personal recognizance bonds of $25,000 each. Vincent Capers said Wednesday evening Julius and Lennie's deaths are the last thing he thinks about when he goes to sleep and the first thing on his mind when he wakes up. "I feel guilty," Capers said. "It was my fault. If I had it to do over, I would not have driven the car." Capers, who suffered a broken shoulder in the accident, said he thanks God for the stand Leonard Young has taken on his behalf. "He is a good person," Capers said softly. "I respect him." Capers' blood alcohol level at the time of the accident was .10, according to investigators. Under state law, a blood-alcohol content of .10 percent or greater is considered evidence that a person driving a motor vehicle was under the influence of alcohol. Capers said he hopes he will not be sent to prison on the charges. "I keep on praying it won't go that far," Capers said. "If it comes to that, it will be God's will, and there is nothing I can do to change it." Capers was driving a 1992 Acura Nov. 1 with his cousins in the car. He slammed into a pickup truck waiting at a stop sign at the intersection of Young's Grove Road and Highway 18. Julius died at the scene of the accident, and Lennie died about an hour later at Upstate Carolinas Medical Center in Gaffney. "I know he (Capers) is suffering," Young said. "He has to live with this the rest of his life. With two felony charges, he'll probably have trouble getting a good job. I don't know what kind of punishment he deserves. That's up to the judge." Capers court date has been set for Jan. 5. Young said he did not learn until the day following the accident that Capers would be charged with the deaths of his sons. "I didn't like it when I heard it," Young said. "I was upset about it at the time." Young said his daughter, Valerie Young of Los Angeles, and some other members of the family don't feel the way he does about forgiving Capers. The Youngs and Capers live in the Youngs Grove Community of Cherokee County. Most members of the rural community are related. The Rev. Larry Brooks has been the pastor of Youngs Grove Baptist Church for 14 years. The church is the place of worship for most of the community's residents. Brooks baptized both Vincent and Julius. "I was there when Lennie drew his last breath," Brooks said. "I've known all these boys since they were little children." Brooks said he believes the community of Youngs Grove will survive, even through its residents are suffering grief for all three of the young men. "God's love will bring us closer together," Brooks said. "We hold no malice. He (Capers) needs healing too. It is time for us to listen to God and use the words, 'I forgive.' " Young said he has not decided whether he will attend the court session for Capers in January. "If he wants me to, I will," Young said. "I'm grieving, but I have forgiveness, too. If I handled it any other way, it could cause trouble in the family. The accident was not intentional. I believe I'm doing the right thing." Staff Writer Julie Woodcock contributed to this report.</p>